After NCT exit, Mark Lee trades maximalism for stripped-down sound

Mark Lee has returned with a new solo chapter after leaving NCT, releasing My Friend on Thursday under his own Upper Room label. The mid-tempo pop single, which he wrote, composed and arranged, marks a stripped-down shift away from NCT’s maximalist style. The move follows months of controversy over his departure and a public apology for wearing a Confederate flag T-shirt. Lee is also building closer fan communication and teasing a children’s pop music project.

Mark Lee debuted in 2016 and spent nearly a decade as a core member of NCT, performing in NCT 127, NCT Dream, NCT U and SuperM.

He drew public criticism in June for wearing a T-shirt depicting the Confederate flag, and Upper Room and Lee later issued apologies.

Upper Room said it had been monitoring hateful posts since its launch in the first half of the year and warned it would take legal action against cyberbullying.

Lee introduced Voice Mailbox, which lets fans leave spoken audio messages, and launched the Laylo communications platform.

He said in a YouTube video that he wants to make music that can influence the next generation, while teasing a children’s pop music project.

Published Sep 14, 2026 4:03 pm KST

Ex-NCT member wrote, arranged new song as he opens new fan channels

Mark Lee, singer and former member of K-pop boy band NCT / Courtesy of Upper Room

Singer Mark Lee has returned to music, charting a new course after parting ways with K-pop group NCT.

Lee debuted in 2016 and spent nearly a decade as a core member of NCT, performing as main rapper and main dancer across NCT 127, NCT Dream, NCT U and SuperM. He played a defining role throughout that 10-year span, and his April departure shocked fans and fueled intense speculation regarding his next steps.

Speculation swirled over why he left, with unverified claims circulating about his musical direction and personal beliefs. He faced mounting scrutiny in June when he drew public criticism for wearing a T-shirt depicting the Confederate flag, widely recognized as a symbol of racism.

Upper Room, the creative company founded by Lee, issued an apology, and Lee issued a second apology in August.

"Neither I nor my team understood what that symbol meant. I am committed to learning more," he said. "I hope that through my actions, I can demonstrate the values of respect and inclusion I strive to uphold."

The apologies did little to curb online harassment. Upper Room said it had continuously monitored hateful posts since its launch in the first half of the year, warning that it would take legal action against posts and comments amounting to cyberbullying.

A scene from official music video of "My Friend," a track from Mark Lee's new release / Captured from Mark Lee's official YouTube channel

Following months of controversy after his departure, Lee opened a new chapter under his own name by releasing "My Friend" on Thursday — his first single under Upper Room.

The mid-tempo pop track explores the nature of ideal love, with Lee handling the songwriting, composition and arrangement.

The single marks the beginning of his journey as an independent singer-songwriter sharing candid stories. Making a fresh start, "My Friend" is a sharp departure from the intense, experimental sound he delivered with NCT.

The track's understated sound is a clear departure from NCT's trademark maximalist style. Moving away from flashy performances, Lee opts for a stripped-down arrangement focused on guitar loops and vocals, offering a clear glimpse into his artistic vision.

Lee is also increasing direct engagement with fans. He introduced Voice Mailbox, a feature enabling fans to leave spoken audio messages, and launched the communications platform Laylo.

Beyond promoting the single, he announced plans for a children's pop music project.

"When I thought about what I need to do as a singer and what music I most want to make, I want to make music that can influence even the next generation." Lee said, teasing the project in a recent YouTube video.

After leaving NCT, Lee founded a label, built direct communication channels with his fans, released self-produced music, and teased projects for future generations to carve out his own path. As he weathers recent controversies to take his first musical step forward, attention turns to the creative world he will shape next.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.

离开NCT后，Mark Lee以个人身份回归乐坛，于周四通过其个人厂牌Upper Room发行了单曲《My Friend》。这首中速流行单曲由他亲自作词作曲并编曲，标志着他从NCT的极繁风格转向更为简约的风格。此前，他因离开NCT以及身穿印有南方邦联旗帜的T恤而引发争议，并为此公开道歉。Lee目前正致力于加强与粉丝的沟通，并透露即将推出儿童流行音乐企划。

Mark Lee 于 2016 年出道，作为 NCT 的核心成员近十年，曾先后在 NCT 127、NCT Dream、NCT U 和 SuperM 中演出。

今年六月，他因穿着印有南方邦联旗帜的 T 恤而受到公众批评，Upper Room 和 Lee 后来都发表了道歉声明。

Upper Room 表示，自今年上半年成立以来，他们一直在监控仇恨言论，并警告称将对网络欺凌采取法律行动。

李推出了语音信箱功能，让粉丝可以留言，并推出了 Laylo 通讯平台。

他在一段 YouTube 视频中表示，他想创作能够影响下一代的音乐，同时还透露了一个儿童流行音乐项目。

发布于2026年9月14日下午4:03（韩国标准时间）

前NCT成员创作并编排了新歌，同时开设了新的粉丝频道

Mark Lee，歌手，前韩国流行男团NCT成员 / 图片由Upper Room提供

歌手 Mark Lee 已重返乐坛，在与韩国流行音乐组合 NCT 分道扬镳后，开辟了一条新的道路。

李于2016年出道，作为NCT的核心成员活跃了近十年，先后在NCT 127、NCT Dream、NCT U和SuperM担任主Rapper和主舞。他在这十年间扮演了举足轻重的角色，而他今年4月的离队令粉丝震惊，也引发了关于他未来动向的诸多猜测。

关于他离队的原因众说纷纭，未经证实的说法也甚嚣尘上，包括他的音乐方向和个人信仰。今年六月，他因身穿印有南方邦联旗帜的T恤而受到公众批评，南方邦联旗帜被广泛认为是种族主义的象征，这使他面临越来越严格的审视。

李创立的创意公司 Upper Room 发表了道歉声明，李本人也在 8 月份发表了第二次道歉声明。

“我和我的团队都不明白那个符号的含义。我决心深入了解，”他说。“我希望通过我的行动，能够展现我努力秉持的尊重和包容的价值观。”

这些道歉并未起到遏制网络骚扰的作用。Upper Room表示，自今年上半年成立以来，他们一直在持续监控仇恨言论，并警告称，将对构成网络欺凌的帖子和评论采取法律行动。

这是 Mark Lee 新歌《My Friend》官方音乐录影带中的一个片段 / 截图来自 Mark Lee 的官方 YouTube 频道

在离开Upper Room后经历了数月的争议，李于周四以自己的名义发行了单曲《我的朋友》，开启了新的篇章——这是他在Upper Room旗下发行的第一首单曲。

这首中速流行歌曲探讨了理想爱情的本质，由李负责作词、作曲和编曲。

这首单曲标志着他作为独立创作歌手的旅程正式开启，他将以坦诚的歌声讲述自己的故事。作为一次全新的开始，《我的朋友》与他之前在NCT时期充满张力、实验性的音乐风格截然不同。

这首歌低调的曲风与NCT标志性的极繁风格截然不同。李一向以华丽的表演取胜，这次他选择了以吉他循环和人声为主的极简编曲，清晰地展现了他的艺术理念。

李健熙也在加强与粉丝的直接互动。他推出了语音信箱功能，让粉丝可以留言，并推出了通讯平台Laylo。

除了宣传这首单曲外，他还宣布了一项儿童流行音乐项目的计划。

“当我思考作为一名歌手我需要做什么，以及我最想创作什么样的音乐时，我希望创作出能够影响下一代的音乐。”李在最近的一段YouTube视频中预告了这个项目。

离开NCT后，李创立了自己的厂牌，建立了与粉丝的直接沟通渠道，发行了自己制作的音乐，并预告了一些面向未来一代的项目，努力开辟属于自己的道路。在他克服了近期的争议，迈出音乐生涯的第一步之际，人们的目光也转向了他接下来将塑造怎样的创意世界。

本文来自《韩国日报》（《韩国时报》的姊妹报），由人工智能生成系统翻译，并由《韩国时报》编辑。